Are You Curious? The Gigantic Myth of 'Harder is Better' in Fitness

We’ve all heard it: the age-old mantra that hard work is the only path to success.

Whether it’s through relentless training montages in movies or the constant grind culture glorified on social media, the message is clear—if it’s not tough, it won’t be effective.

But what if I told you that this might not be entirely true?

What if the key to achieving your fitness goals lies in quality over quantity?

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The Shift in My Training Approach

When I started my career as a certified personal trainer, my programs were meticulously detailed. I provided clients with specific guidelines: exact numbers of sets, reps, and weights to use. The science of exercise was clear—certain protocols yielded specific results. And while I still believe in the importance of structured exercise, I’ve learned that there’s more to the story.

In those early days, my clients often took my prescriptive advice to heart. Some even went beyond my recommendations, thinking that more was better. More weight, more reps, more sessions per week. They believed that pushing themselves to the limit was the surest way to see progress.

But here’s the kicker--this approach often backfired.

More Isn’t Always Better

Let me share a story with you. One of my clients, let’s call him John, was determined to build muscular strength. He followed my program religiously but soon started adding extra sets and increasing weights on his own. Despite my warnings, John believed that doubling down on his workouts would speed up his progress.

Initially, he saw some gains. But then, the inevitable happened—John began experiencing chronic pain and discomfort. His enthusiasm waned, and his once-invincible spirit faded. Eventually, the pain became too much, and he stopped exercising altogether.

John’s story is a common one. Many people push themselves too hard, thinking that sheer volume will produce results. Instead, they end up overtraining, leading to injuries, burnout, and a negative relationship with exercise.

The Power of Quality

So, what’s the solution? It comes down to quality over quantity. Quality of movement, to be precise.

When I work with clients now, I focus on how they feel during each exercise. I ask them to tune into their bodies. Can they sense their arm bone moving in the shoulder socket? Do they feel the connection between one movement and another part of their body?

This awareness brings a level of quality to their movements that sheer repetition never could.

The Science Backs It Up

Exercise science tells us that we need a certain level of load—sometimes called overload—to stimulate our bodies to change. However, if those movements lack quality, we’re essentially teaching our bodies to move poorly. Poor movement patterns can lead to irritations, tightness, and pain.

By emphasizing quality, we’re not just moving our bodies; we’re teaching them to move well. This reduces the risk of injury and makes exercise more enjoyable, increasing the likelihood that we’ll stick with it.

Finding the Balance

To be clear, I’m not suggesting we abandon structured exercise. We do need to challenge our bodies to elicit change. But the key is to combine that challenge with mindful, high-quality movements.

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Consider your own routine.

Are you just logging minutes, reps, and sets?

Or are you moving with purpose and precision?

Quality movement isn’t about doing as many reps as possible; it’s about doing each rep well.

As you continue on your fitness journey, remember that harder isn’t always better.

Instead, strive for quality in every movement.

Tune into your body, move with intention, and embrace the idea that sometimes, less is more.

Are you keen to learn how to move with precision and quality?

Two ways I can help:

1. Movement Momentum, my one-on-one program, is tailored just for YOU. Two (2) spots are open this June. Are you in? You can read more about the Movement Momentum program here.

​2. Take Your Walking to the Next Level: Intro to Nordic Walking is starting on June 12! We are 2/3 full and it would be great to help you perfect a quality walking pattern...with poles!

​When you prioritize quality, you’ll find that you can achieve your goals more effectively—and enjoy the process along the way.

So, next time you’re tempted to push harder, take a moment to consider: Are you moving with quality? Because that’s where the true magic happens.

Stay well and happy moving,

Lisa